2nd female officer files complaint against Ashland chief

A second female officer in the Ashland Police Department has filed a discrimination complaint against Police Chief Scott Rohmer, alleging he and two senior officers for the past seven years have subjected her to sexual harassment and hostile working conditions.

By Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Posted Feb. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 6, 2013 at 6:05 AM

By Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

Posted Feb. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 6, 2013 at 6:05 AM

ASHLAND

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A second female officer in the Ashland Police Department has filed a discrimination complaint against Police Chief Scott Rohmer, alleging he and two senior officers for the past seven years have subjected her to sexual harassment and hostile working conditions.

The complaint, filed on behalf of Allena Downey by attorney Tim Burke, and sent to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, describes a saga of discrimination that Downey claims violated her rights under state anti-discrimination laws.

The complaint describes specific incidents - including a time when Rohmer allegedly demanded she perform pushups in front of him in the dispatch area – as well as ongoing trends having to do with work schedules, what type of discipline is made public to the department and reasons for being suspended.

The 21-page document also says Rohmer has a key to the female locker room (a trailer behind the station) and regularly conducts personal and business meetings inside.

The complaint is also filed against Lt./Executive Officer David Beaudoin and Sgt. Ed Pomponio. They and Rohmer Tuesday did not return calls from the Daily News for comment.

Burke's office said the complaint was filed with the state Jan. 29. An MCAD spokeswoman Tuesday said she could not confirm receiving the complaint but that it could be in the agency's paper backlog.

Downey is currently on unpaid leave, said Burke who also represents Ashland Lt. Richard Briggs and former Ashland sergeant Robert MacQuarrie in a separate whistleblower suit against Rohmer.

"I feel it’s incomprehensible that the town has simply turned a blind eye and buried its head in the sand to what’s going on with the management of its police department," Burke said.

Rohmer in September promoted Downey to the rank of provisional sergeant, along with officer Joe Magnani.

She is the second female officer, one of three who work in the department, to file a discrimination complaint. Officer Luann Tomaso filed one on Oct. 26.

Downey wants the MCAD to find on her behalf and also wants financial compensation for her lost wages and to compensate for "emotional and physical pain and suffering" and for damages to her reputatioin.

Laura Krantz can be reached at 508-626-4429 or lkrantz@wickedlocal.com.